For
many women, postpartum depression is a frightening reality. There
is a major difference between postpartum depression and the “baby
blues” you may feel for a little while after you give birth.
The baby blues are a brief period of sadness or negative feelings
in the face of new pressures and concerns, or let-downs or fears
in post-pregnancy women, not to mention the surge in hormonal changes
happening in your body. But if those feelings persist for over
a week or more and if the depression is unbearable and controlling
your thoughts, you should speak with your provider and get support
to cope with postpartum depression.

Very often, postpartum depression
will not occur until a month or more after birth. Postpartum depression
is a natural part of childbirth,
and it can be overcome. If you are experiencing suicidal or violent
thoughts after giving childbirth, please talk to someone and seek
help immediately. Your provider will be able to help you easily,
there are tons of support groups and options that can help you
safely
overcome these feelings. In fact, it may be comforting to know
that postpartum depression is one of the most treatable forms of
depression.

Symptoms of postpartum depression include excessive
crying, sleep problems, irritability, changes in appetite, hopelessness
and sad
thoughts, memory loss and the lack of desire to take care of yourself—or
your baby. If you experience any of these pronounced symptoms for
a prolonged period of time after giving childbirth (over one or
two weeks), contact your provider. Your provider will probably
conduct
a thyroid test which will help to detect any emotional instability
linked to hormonal balances. A clinical psychologist who specializes
in postpartum depression will be particularly helpful for you.
You may also want to explore your medication options, including
antidepressants.
If you have a history of depression, you might want to talk with
your doctor about starting an antidepressant toward the end of
pregnancy or directly after birth to curb the possibility of developing
postpartum
depression.

Some women might develop postpartum psychosis, which
is rare but serious. Postpartum psychosis causes a woman to lose
her sense
of reality, and to become suicidal or violent and experience
hallucinations as well as other signs of psychosis. If you feel
a distorted perception
of reality or if you have any feelings of violence or suicide,
contact
your provider immediately to get help. Support from family, friends
and your partner will help to keep you from acting on any of
those delusional feelings of suicide or violence. You might want
to avoid
being alone for a while if you think you have severe postpartum
depression or postpartum psychosis.